Sue Gray’s ‘stupid idea’ for citizens’ juries ditched

LABOUR has backtracked on plans for the creation of citizens’ assemblies to draw up contentious laws following a backlash against the “stupid idea”.

Sue Gray, the party’s chief of staff, had said in an interview that she would introduce the measure as part of efforts to devolve power from Whitehall.

But 12 hours after her remarks were published, Labour were backtracking, with officials insisting that the plan was not a formal policy.

Under the proposals, modelled on a system in Ireland, juries made up of members of the public would have been formed to discuss key issues.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, told the BBC that they could have been used to put forward laws on sensitive subjects like assisted dying.

Ms Gray had said that Labour would introduce citizens’ assemblies in an interview she gave for a biography of Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader.

Excerpts of the book, published by The Times, revealed she envisaged using them for constitutional reform, devolution and housing.

Ms Gray, a former civil servant, hailed the proposal as “transformational” but warned that “Whitehall will not like this because they have no control”.

The Telegraph has been told the creation of citizens’ assemblies is not an official party policy and there are no plans related to their potential use.

The plan had already attracted criticism from both within Labour and from the Tories, who questioned why Ms Gray was announcing such a key policy.

Luke Akehurst, a member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, said in response to the proposal that “citizens’ assemblies are a stupid idea”.

He added: “We already have elected politicians who are put there by the public to take tough decisions.”